The best-laid plans of mice and men…

Last Sunday, I took part in the most amazing women’s fitness weekend experience called She Getsaway. To say I had fun would be an understatement! I had the chance to try new things, step outside my comfort zone, and bond with amazing women from all over Canada. I will be helping them come EAST with a camp in Nova Scotia on June 22-24, 2018 (save the date as you don’t want to miss this). ^^ This was my last photo from the weekend and included my awesome cabin-mates. I left She Getsaway feeling relaxed, excited and energized all at the same time.

A few hours later, I flew back to Nova Scotia excited about my camp experience and ready for an intense couple of weeks leading up to our October 1st race. While the biggest decisions are made long before race day, it’s the final two weeks that a race director handles all the smaller details and it gets really busy! We were T-minus two weeks to Sole Sisters Quarter & Half Marathon and then…

Damn. Bubble burst. 12 hours later, this is where I found myself.

You know the Robert Burns poem that says: “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”? It’s hard to believe this was the same day. I never saw this coming and didn’t really understand what was happening to me. But, when I got off the plane, something was wrong – fortunately, my husband did the one thing we always ask our volunteers to do. He didn’t take time to ponder, he got emergency help immediately.

To the firefighters that were the first to respond and EHS paramedics that got me to the hospital, I give you the most sincere thanks.

I spent all of last week in the hospital dealing with those health issues and it looked like I would not be able to attend my own race. And make no mistake, for me Sole Sisters race in June and in October is my super-bowl. It’s why I work so hard all year long, to see the amazing smiles and pride on the faces of the girls and women as they cross the finish line! Anyone that has attended a Sole Sisters race knows how much I look forward to my high-fives at the finish!

However, I’ve told people my whole life, your health needs to come first – and this time I needed to listen to my own advice. I understood why I might not make it to the race. With a makeshift office in my hospital room we initiated an action plan. With the Sole Sisters Volunteer Coordinators, Ambassadors and Logistics team on full alert we knew we could execute and deliver an amazing race experience regardless of my being there or not. And they got to work.

In fact many of you that reached out last week to us had no idea that I was in the hospital. That is how professional and good the Sole Sisters team is. As Race Director I get the most attention but I am not the most important part of the team, no single person is, it’s the entire Sole Sisters team that makes the magic happen.

While it’s hard on the ego to think your event doesn’t actually need you (Sole Sisters is my baby, make no mistake, it means that much to me) it is also reassuring. There are so many folks that continually step up to make this event happen and last week I saw that more than ever.

So professionally I was reminded how lucky I am and personally… Well, personally I have never felt more loved. I asked my friends to come see me and bring food. Not sure that having twenty-two visitors and as many meals delivered in a week would make y’all as happy as it made me. But, I am so social I needed those visits, and while I may not have needed that much food, I sure liked it (food is love to me) and I didn’t eat a single hospital meal.

Clearly there was nothing wrong with my stomach!!!

And for the Sole Sisters nurse that discovered where I was and brought me coffee more than once, I thank you for checking in, for the coffee and for sending me this hilarious graphic!

Now I’ve been sprung from the hospital!!! I still need to take it easy (well, as “easy” as possible for me) but I’m not missing my Super-Bowl!!!

It’s race week and with my team – we are getting ready to for the 1,000+ women and girls that are participating in the Sole Sisters Quarter & Half Marathon + Little Miss Sole Sisters race on Sunday, October 1st. If I don’t seem as excitable or as loud at the finish line as normal you now know that is only because I am trying to KEEP CALM to avoid any other incidents (is it too soon to make jokes?!).

Oh Dear Stacey as much as we need you. We need you whole and healthy. Listen to your body, us as women and nuturers tend to put ourselves last. Put yourself first for a bit. It’s tough to do. I know been there done that. I am excited to participate in the race this weekend with or without you at the finish. You are in our hearts and soul. Rest up!

Dear Stacey, Heres hoping you recover 100%. My sister and I have come to a number of your races. They are BEST ever. But not this year. Last February she was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis and was paralyzed from the middle of her back down to her toes. Good news is that she is slowly recovering and we ran together in the Fredericton Fall Classic last Sunday. Not our best time, but we finished. I am SO proud of her. Keep up your great work.

Mrs. Stacy, you are amazing and you inspire so many women! Thank you! I will run this race with you in mind when I am struggling to keep pushing through. If you are not at the finish line and we don’t hear you and your sweet southern accent we all know this is you taking care of you. You will be in all of our hearts on Sunday. Be well and take care.